NEW PORT RICHEY — With business increasing the past decade, owners of Windsong Charters and Boat Rentals expanded the firm last month.

Established in 2002, Windsong started with one boat. The firm thrived under Capt. Wendy Longman and her husband and business partner, Capt. Bruce Longman.

“Today we have over 43 rentable assets from sailboats, pontoons, kayaks, canoes and even boat trailers,” Wendy Longman said in a press release.

“With this expansion and new location at the Magnuson Hotel & Marina, we now offer stand up paddle boards, a complete rental center for fishing gear, snorkel gear, coolers, beach chairs as well as a bait shop,” she added.

The expansion to 5015 U.S. 19 also makes the marina ADA compliant.

She originally started in a role as marketing and sales consultant, Longman recalled.

Wendy added the title of “captain” in front of her name in 2004, after she had passed United States Coast Guard licensing exam. She was the only woman in her class and scored the highest.

Many people now simply refer to her as Capt. Wendy. She is only one of two working USCG licensed women captains in Pasco County

Once the sole employee and owner of Windsong, these days, during the height of the summer season, Wendy will have up to 14 captains and crew members employed.

Windsong is one of two companies in Pasco County, and one of four in Florida, to be licensed, insured and contracted. It is also a preferred vendor to provide services at Anclote Key State Preserve. Services include weddings and island barbecue parties.

She manages all reservations and officiates weddings and captains charters. Wendy is also involved in a variety of charitable organizations and enthusiastically enjoys being involved in community events.

Bruce, the vice president of operations, handles all the administrative side of the business.

Bruce also has another company, Longman Computer Solutions, and is a professional web designer and SEO specialist and brings those talents to the business as well.

In 2010, Wendy and Windsong won the West Pasco Chamber of Commerce Small Business of the Year award. “That award meant everything to me and this business. Every day I look at the award hanging in the office and it reminds me I must do no less than one million percent every day.”

She is also thrilled to have been accepted as a member of the Leadership Pasco Class of 2015, which will begin in August.

Also, Windsong received the Certificate of Excellence from travel website TripAdvisor.

Wendy is planning a Chamber ribbon cutting and after hours mixer to celebrate Windsong expansion.

To learn more about Windsong go online to www.windsongcharters.com or call (727) 326-7391.